WO2014081116A1

WO2014081116A1 - User input device and electronic device control system using the device

Info

Publication number: WO2014081116A1
Application number: PCT/KR2013/008969
Authority: WO
Inventors: 김재호; 이상신; 안일엽; 윤재석; 송민환
Original assignee: 전자부품연구원
Priority date: 2012-11-23
Filing date: 2013-10-08
Publication date: 2014-05-30
Also published as: KR20140066374A; KR101413992B1

Abstract

A user input device and an electronic device control system using the device are provided. The user input device according to an embodiment of the present invention senses a top that is the upper surface from among surfaces forming a polyhedron, senses a combined state of the polyhedron and transmits information on a sensed top and information on the combined state to an external device. Accordingly, since the top of the polyhedron and the combined state are manipulated so as to be able to input different user commands, it is possible to provide a user with enjoyment and fun based on the manipulation, which deviates from a typical remote control command input technique.

Description

User input device and electronic device control system using same

The present invention relates to a user input device, and more particularly, to a user input device for controlling electronic devices remotely by receiving a user command and an electronic device control system using the same.

The advent of remote control devices has provided the breakthrough convenience of manipulating electronic devices without having direct access to them, and now it is impossible to even think about life without them.

There are also side effects due to the activated remote control, which is the complexity of the increased remote controls as the remote controls are coupled to almost all electronic devices. To address this, an integrated remote control has emerged, thereby successfully reducing the number of remote controls.

However, the universal type of remote control command input method does not give the user who operates the electronic device the same fun as before. In addition to the convenience of electronic device operation, a search for a method for adding fun to operation is required.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide enjoyment and fun in the electronic device control operation, by operating the combined state and the upper surface of the polyhedron to different user commands A user input device capable of inputting and an electronic control system using the same are provided.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a user input device includes: a communication unit connected to communicate with an external device; A first sensor configured to detect an upper surface of the surfaces constituting the polyhedron facing upwards; A second sensor detecting a bonding state of the polyhedron; And a processor configured to transmit information on the upper surface sensed by the first sensor and information on the coupling state detected by the second sensor to the external device through the communication unit.

The polyhedron may include a plurality of bodies, and a coupling state of the polyhedron may be a state of a first body and a second body of the polyhedron.

In addition, the coupling state may be represented by a surface of the second body arranged in parallel with a specific surface of the first body.

In addition, at least one of a place and a device may be determined by the coupling state, and a type of command may be determined by the upper surface.

The display device may further include a display provided on a specific surface of the polyhedron and displaying commands corresponding to the surfaces of the polyhedron and displaying information on at least one of the place and the device.

And, provided on a specific surface of the polyhedron, the operation unit for selecting the commands; may further include.

In addition, the first sensor, through an acceleration sensor, a gyro sensor or a physical switch, senses the upper surface of the upper face of the constituting the polyhedron, the second sensor, through the magnetic sensor or a physical switch, the polyhedron The combined state of can be detected.

On the other hand, according to another embodiment of the present invention, an electronic control system, a user input device for sensing the upper surface of the surface constituting the polyhedron toward the upper side, and the coupling state of the polyhedron; And a relay device which determines an electronic device to be controlled from the combined state detected by the user input device, and determines a control command from the upper surface detected by the user input device, with reference to the control-rule set through the user terminal. It includes.

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to input different user commands by operating the coupling state and the upper surface of the polyhedron, thereby giving the user enjoyment and fun from the remote control command input method of the generalized form. You can do it.

In addition, it is possible to control a variety of electronic devices through a single user input device and to view and receive status or information, and the rules to be applied here are freely available through a user terminal such as a smartphone familiar to the user. have.

1 is a view showing a smart cube according to an embodiment of the present invention,

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a smart cube control system using the smart cube illustrated in FIG. 1;

3 is a detailed block diagram of the smart cube shown in FIG.

4 is a diagram illustrating a control-rule set by a smartphone;

5 is a diagram illustrating a smart cube according to another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a detailed block diagram of the digital cube shown in FIG. 5;

7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a combined state of a smart cube;

8 illustrates a control-rule in the coupled state shown in FIG. 7, FIG.

9 is a view showing another example of the combined state of the smart cube,

10 to 12 show smart cubes according to still another embodiment of the present invention, and

13 illustrates various forms of control-rules.

Hereinafter, with reference to the drawings will be described the present invention in more detail.

1 is a diagram illustrating a smart cube according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the smart cube 100 according to the present embodiment is a cube, and dots representing ① to ⑥ are printed / engraved on each surface.

In the smart cube 100 according to the present embodiment, other numbers, letters, symbols, figures, etc. may be printed / engraved instead of dots, or no display may be printed / engraved.

Smart cube 100 has a three-axis acceleration sensor and a wireless communication module is built. Accordingly, the smart cube 100 can determine which side is the upper surface (surface facing upward) and can propagate the identified upper surface to the outside through wireless communication.

The right side of FIG. 1 shows the method of grasping the upper surface using the 3-axis acceleration sensor.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a smart cube control system using the smart cube 100 illustrated in FIG. 1. The smart cube control system is a system for controlling various

electronic devices

410, 420, 430 using the smart cube 100.

The TV 410, the air conditioner 420, and the electric light 430 illustrated in FIG. 2 are examples of electronic devices, and it should be noted that the technical spirit of the present disclosure may be applied to other electronic devices. .

As shown in FIG. 2, the smart cube control system includes a smart cube 100, a home-gateway (H-GW) 200, a smartphone 300, and

electronic devices

410, 420, 430. -The GW 200 is connected to and built to enable communication.

The smart cube 100 has been described above with reference to FIG. 1, and the internal configuration is as shown in FIG. 3. As shown in FIG. 3, the smart cube 100 includes a three-axis acceleration sensor 110, a processor 120, a communication unit 130, and a battery 140.

The three-axis acceleration sensor 110 measures acceleration in the x-axis, y-axis, and z-axis directions, and applies the measurement result to the processor 120. The communication unit 130 provides a communication interface for communicating with the H-GW 200.

The processor 120 grasps an upper surface of the smart cube 100 from the 3-axis acceleration received from the 3-axis acceleration sensor 110. In addition, when even the minute movement of the smart cube 100 is not detected, the processor 120 transmits the information about the identified upper surface to the H-GW 200 through the communication unit 130.

The case where even the minute movement of the smart cube 100 is not detected is a case where the user puts the smart cube 100 on the floor. This is because a large and small movement is detected when the user holds the smart cube 100 in his hand.

The smart cube 100 is placed on the floor because the user treats the top surface of the smart cube 100 as an act of determining, so that the top surface information is transmitted from the smart cube 100 to the H-GW 200. In this regard, the smart cube 100 may function as a user input device.

The battery 140 is a means for supplying power required for the 3-axis acceleration sensor 110, the processor 120, and the communication unit 130.

Again, with reference to FIG. 2, the remaining components of the smart cube control system will be described in detail.

The smartphone 300 is a user device for setting the control rule, and transmits the control rule set by the user to the H-GW 200. The H-GW 200 is a relay device that stores the control rule received from the smartphone 300 and controls the

electronic devices

410, 420, 430 according to the stored control rule.

The smart phone 300 has a smart cube control application is installed. By running this application, the user sets the desired control rules.

The control rule is formed by mapping the 'control target device' and the 'control command' to the upper surfaces of the smart cube 100. In the center of FIG. 4, a control rule set by the smartphone 300 is illustrated. The control-rule illustrated in FIG. 4 is,

1) When the "①" side of the smart cube 100 is the upper surface, turn the TV 410 "ON",

2) When the "②" surface of the smart cube 100 is the upper surface, the air conditioner 420 "ON",

3) When the "③" side of the smart cube 100 is the upper surface, the lamp 430 "ON",

4) When the "④" surface of the smart cube 100 is the upper surface, the TV 410 "OFF",

5) When the "⑤" surface of the smart cube 100 is the upper surface, the air conditioner 420 "OFF",

6) When the "⑥" surface of the smart cube 100 is the upper surface, it can be confirmed that the light 430 is set to "OFF".

Therefore, when the user puts the "①" side of the smart cube 100 as the top surface, the TV 410 is "ON", and when the user puts the "⑥" side of the smart cube 100 as the top surface, the light 430 is " OFF ".

On the other hand, the control-rule shown in FIG. 4 is exemplary. When setting the control rule, it is also possible to map a plurality of 'control target devices' on one upper surface. For example, when the "①" surface of the smart cube 100 is the upper surface, it is possible to set to "ON" the TV 410 and the air conditioner 420.

In addition, when setting the control rule, it is also possible to different control commands for a plurality of 'control target devices' mapped to one upper surface. For example, when the "②" surface of the smart cube 100 is the upper surface, it is possible to set by turning the lamp 430 "ON" and the air conditioner 420 "switched to light cooling". As another example, when the "③" surface of the smart cube 100 is the upper surface, "OFF" the TV 410, "ON" the light 430, and the air conditioner 420 "to switch to cold" Can be set.

5 is a diagram illustrating a smart cube according to another embodiment of the present invention. The case (body) of the smart cube 100 according to the present embodiment is configured by combining two cases (100a, 100b).

The case-2 (100b) is provided with a three-axis acceleration sensor 110, a processor 120, a communication unit 130 and a battery 140 in the inner space (100c).

Case-1 (100a) and case-2 (100b) are coupled by a magnet. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 5, four corners of the upper surface of the case-2 (100b) are attached with a magnet 152, and four corners of the lower surface of the case-1 (100a) facing the magnet 152 are also attached. A magnet or a metal plate (not shown) is attached, and the case-1 (100a) and the case-2 (100b) are coupled by these.

In addition, a magnet 151 is attached to an upper surface of one of the four sides of the case-2 100b. This magnet faces the lower surface of one of the four sides of case-1 (100a). Specifically, the magnet 151 faces one of the "x plane", the "-x plane", the "y plane", and the "-y plane" of the case-1 100a.

Magnetic sensors (not shown) are respectively provided below the four sides of the case-1 100a. Accordingly, it is possible to detect which side of the four sides of the case-1 100a faces the magnet 151 of the case-2 100b.

FIG. 6 is a detailed block diagram of the digital cube 100 shown in FIG. 5. As shown in FIG. 6, the smart cube 100 according to the present embodiment has magnetic sensors 160-1, 160-2, 160-3, and 160-4 in the smart cube 100 shown in FIG. 3. It includes more.

The magnetic sensors 160-1, 160-2, 160-3, and 160-4 are sensors for detecting magnetic flux generated by the magnet 151 of the case-2 100b. The detection result by the magnetic sensors 160-1, 160-2, 160-3, and 160-4 is transmitted to the processor 120.

The processor 120 determines the coupling state of the smart cube 100 based on the detection result of the magnetic sensors 160-1, 160-2, 160-3, and 160-4. That is, the processor 120 determines which of the 'sides of the case-1 100a' are arranged in parallel with the 'side of the case-2 100b to which the magnet 151 is attached'.

When the smart cube 100 is coupled as shown in FIG. 7, 'the side of the case-1 100a' arranged side by side with the 'side of the case-2 100b to which the magnet 151 is attached' is "TV" is the printed / engraved side. Therefore, the combined state as shown in FIG. 7 is treated as the user sets / inputs the “TV operation mode” with the smart cube 100.

Thus, the processor 120 transmits the top information along with the coupling state to the H-GW 200 through the communication unit 130.

As shown in FIG. 8, the H-GW 200 sets the control-rule of the device from the coupled state of the smart cube 100, and the coupled state of the smart cube 100 shown in FIG. 7 is "TV". Operation mode ", the H-GW 200 sets a control-rule for the TV 410 and controls the TV 410 according to the top surface information of the smart cube 100. Specifically,

1) When the "①" side of the smart cube 100 is the top surface, turn the TV 410 "ON / OFF",

2) when the "②" surface of the smart cube 100 is the upper surface, channel up the TV 410,

3) when the "③" side of the smart cube 100 is the top surface, channel down the TV 410,

4) when the "④" side of the smart cube 100 is the upper surface, volume up the TV 410,

5) If the "⑤" side of the smart cube 100 is the upper surface, volume down the TV 410,

6) When the "6" surface of the smart cube 100 is the upper surface, calls the menu of the TV (410).

Therefore, if the user puts the "②" side of the smart cube 100 on the top surface, the channel number of the TV 410 increases by one step, and when the user puts the "⑤" side of the smart cube 100 on the top surface, the TV 410 ) Volume decreases by one step. Meanwhile, the control-rule shown in FIG. 8 is exemplary and can be modified.

On the other hand, when the smart cube 100 is coupled as shown in Figure 9, the side of the 'case-1 (100a)' arranged in parallel with the 'side of the case-2 (100b) to which the magnet 151 is attached' 'Is the side on which the air conditioner is printed / stamped. Therefore, the combined state as shown in FIG. 9 is treated as if the user sets / inputs the “air conditioning operation mode” into the smart cube 100.

Accordingly, since the combined state of the smart cube 100 indicates the "air conditioning operation mode", the H-GW 200 sets a control-rule for the air conditioner 420 and according to the top information of the smart cube 100. The air conditioner 420 is controlled.

10 is a diagram illustrating a smart cube 100 according to another embodiment of the present invention. The display 170 is provided on a specific surface of the smart cube 100 according to the present embodiment, which is different from the smart cube 100 illustrated in FIG. 7.

The smart cube 100 according to the present embodiment transmits the combined state information and the upper surface information to the H-GW 200, while receiving the operation mode and the control-rule from the H-GW 200, and thus receives the received operation mode. And the content of the control-rule are displayed on the display 170 as shown in FIG.

The content of the control-rule displayed on the display 170 is referred to the user inputting a user command using the smart cube 100.

11 is a diagram illustrating a smart cube 100 according to another embodiment of the present invention. Smart cube 100 according to the present embodiment is divided into three cases' case-1 (top) and case-2 (middle) combined state 'and' case-2 (middle) and case-3 (bottom) Is different from the smart cube 100 shown in FIG.

1) one of the combined states defined in the smart cube 100 according to the present embodiment, 'the combined state of case-1 and case-2' is used to specify a place, and 2) the other one, 'case-2 and The combined state of Case-3 can be used to specify the device. Therefore, as shown in Figure 11, when the smart cube 100 is combined, the lamp of the living room is treated as selected.

Accordingly, the H-GW 200 sets a control-rule for controlling the living room light, and controls the living room light according to the top surface information of the smart cube 100. In addition, the smart cube 100 displays an operation mode (living light) and a control rule on the display 170.

12 is a diagram illustrating a smart cube 100 according to another embodiment of the present invention. The smart cube 100 according to the present embodiment further includes an operation panel 180 in addition to the display 170.

The operation panel 180 is a set of operation buttons used to select a control command displayed on the display 170. The smart cube 100 transmits the user-selected command to the H-GW 200 through the combined state information and the operation panel 180.

So far, the smart cube 100 that can function as a user input device and the home device control system using the same have been described in detail with reference to a preferred embodiment. The control system described can also be applied to environments other than the home.

In addition, the acceleration sensor for detecting the upper surface of the smart cube 100 may be replaced by a gyro sensor or a physical switch provided on each surface. Similarly, the magnet and the magnetic sensor for detecting the coupling state of the smart cube 100 may also be replaced by physical switches provided on each side.

On the other hand, the smart cube 100 of the cube may be implemented as a user input device of another polyhedron, in this case it is not necessarily a regular polyhedron.

In addition, the control-rule setting may also be set by other means than the smartphone 300. For example, it is also possible to set a control rule through the H-GW 200 or to set a control rule through a web page.

On the other hand, in the above embodiments, there may be more than six control-rules for the electronic device. That is, in the case of the smart cube as shown in FIG. 5, a total of 24 (6 × 4) control-rules can be used by combining the number of surfaces and the combined state, and whether or not the use of the smart cube is a matter of user selection. That is, 64 kinds of commands are possible for one electronic device. 13 shows the format of the various control-rules.

Furthermore, in the case of the smart cube as shown in FIG. 11, when the number of top surfaces, the combined state-1, and the combined state-2 are combined, a total of 96 (6 × 4 × 4) control rules can be used.

In addition, although the preferred embodiment of the present invention has been shown and described above, the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments described above, but the technical field to which the invention belongs without departing from the spirit of the invention claimed in the claims. Of course, various modifications can be made by those skilled in the art, and these modifications should not be individually understood from the technical spirit or the prospect of the present invention.

Claims

A communication unit connected to communicate with an external device;

A first sensor for sensing an upper surface of the surfaces constituting the polyhedron toward an upper side thereof;

A second sensor detecting a bonding state of the polyhedron; And

And a processor configured to transmit information on the upper surface sensed by the first sensor and information on the coupling state sensed by the second sensor to the external device through the communication unit.
The method of claim 1,

The polyhedron is,

Including a plurality of bodies,

The bonding state of the polyhedron is,

And a first body and a second body of the polyhedron.
The method of claim 2,

The bonding state is,

And a surface of the second body arranged side by side with a specific surface of the first body.
The method of claim 1,

By the combined state, at least one of a place and a device is determined,

And a type of command is determined by the upper surface.
The method of claim 4, wherein

And a display provided on a specific surface of the polyhedron and displaying commands corresponding to the surfaces of the polyhedron and displaying information on at least one of the place and the device.
The method of claim 5,

And a manipulation unit provided on a specific surface of the polyhedron to select the commands.
The method of claim 1,

The first sensor,

Through an acceleration sensor, a gyro sensor or a physical switch, the upper surface of the face constituting the polyhedron is detected,

The second sensor,

And a magnetic sensor or a physical switch to detect a bonding state of the polyhedron.
A user input device configured to detect an upper surface of the surfaces constituting the polyhedron toward an upper side and to detect a coupling state of the polyhedron;

A user terminal receiving control-rules from a user; And

A relay device for determining an electronic device to control from the coupling state detected by the user input device and referring to a control rule set through the user terminal, and determining a control command from an upper surface detected by the user input device; Electronic control system comprising a.